Media Releases

Ruchira Perera reported by Test Umpires

ICC Match Referee Gundappa Viswanath has confirmed that Sri Lanka bowler Ruchira Perera has been formally reported by umpires Srinivas Venkataraghavan and Daryl Harper for a suspect bowling action

ICC Media Release

ICC confirms reporting of Sri Lanka bowler Ruchira Perera

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ICC Match Referee Gundappa Viswanath has confirmed that Sri Lanka bowler Ruchira Perera has been formally reported by umpires Srinivas Venkataraghavan and Daryl Harper for a suspect bowling action.

The report was made by both umpires to the Referee after close of play in the drawn first Test match at Lord's. Two separate video compilations of Perera bowling during the match were studied by the umpires before announcing their decision.

Referee Viswanath has since informed both the ICC and the Sri Lanka team management of the decision, as per the ICC regulations governing the reporting process.

"The reporting of any bowler at the highest level of the game is a serious matter which has to be handled with fairness and consideration to the player, his team and the opposing team. Both umpires took the opportunity to satisfy themselves fully that there was a concern with Ruchira Perera's bowling action. Their detailed report has been passed to the ICC and the Sri Lankan team management," confirmed Gundappa Viswanath.

There is a clear three-stage process endorsed by all Test playing countries for bowlers reported by umpires or referees in international cricket. Ruchira Perera has now been referred to Stage One of the process, which means that he can continue to play international cricket while working with a specialist advisor or advisors appointed by the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL), to review his bowling action.

A detailed review will be compiled by the BCCSL and submitted to the ICC within a six week period of the reporting. This will then be circulated to all ICC Match Referees and Elite Panel umpires for information and reference.

Media note: For information, Stages Two and Three of the ICC Reporting process are as follows:

Stage Two

  • if the player is reported again within 12 months of the first report the ICC, in consultation with the relevant Board, will appoint one of its own advisors to work directly with the player on his action. A further detailed assessment will then be submitted by the ICC advisor within three months.

  • the report will be circulated as in Stage One and the bowler can continue to play

    • Stage Three

  • a third report in 12 months will activate the ICC Bowling Review Group, which will meet with the bowler and his representatives to discuss the previous two assessment reports, video footage and any further evidence supplied by the player or his Board.

  • at the end of the hearing the player will leave and a vote taken to determine if he has an illegal action. If a majority is passed to this effect the bowler will be banned from bowling in international cricket for 12 months from the date of the hearing.

    • Media contact:

    Mark Harrison
    ICC Communications Manager
    Tel: + 44 20 7266 7913
    Mobile: + 44 (0) 787 944 1891
    Email: mark.harrison@icc-cricket.com

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